A Recipe For Disaster

Photo by Jessica Alpert

Photo by Jessica Alpert

This week on Radio Boston, we are discussing emergency preparedness.  When the “Big One” hits, whether it’s a hurricane, flood or even a earthquake, will Boston be prepared?

Yesterday two local representatives from FEMA came to the station to talk about their various public education programs as well as drop-off a backpack full of supplies and rations.  Buried in the flashlights, ponchos, and thermal blanket (we go through the bag’s contents HERE), was a pack of bars wrapped in an air-sealed plastic bag.  The “rations” are intended to keep individuals alive for at least a few days.  The instructions definitely don’t inspire the foodie in me but at least they get to the point: “Eat one bar every six hours per person.  Eat in small pieces.”  

Makes me think: is there any way to create a delicious “shelter ready” snack?  Perhaps a cold bean salad sprinkled with oregano and thyme?  Or a simple, blender-free version of gazpacho?

Here is the scenario:

Boston has been hit by a vicious hurricane.  Your house has no electricity or gas. Your emergency kit includes a healthy amount of canned goods and myriad spices.  Since you are super prepared, you even have access to a mini camp stove that, in happier times, you lugged to New Hampshire for a weekend of hiking.  Your family is hungry and all eyes turn to you.   What’s on the menu?

Submit your dish suggestions below or email them to: prk@wbur.org  Don’t forget to tune in to Radio Boston this Friday and Saturday at 1pm when we discuss Emergency Preparedness: Is Boston is ready for the “Big One?”

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About

Associate Producer, Here & Now Most recently, Jessica worked as an associate producer at WBUR's daily local program, Radio Boston. Jessica moved to Boston in 2008 and has lived many places since leaving her native Texas. After graduating from college, Jessica worked as a federal employee, documentary film festival producer, oral historian, university teaching assistant, traveling saleswoman and klezmer musician. Her work and projects have appeared in The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, Bust, Barnard Magazine, National Public Radio, Public Radio International (PRI), and the BBC. Jessica's freelance radio work has received various awards including accolades from the Religion Newswriters Association and the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. As a Fulbright Scholar in El Salvador, Jessica collected and studied oral histories from the Jewish Community based in San Salvador. Jessica received her B.A. in political science from Columbia University’s Barnard College and her M.A. in history from Indiana University. She learned how to make radio from the phenomenal folks at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. Jessica lives in Somerville with her husband, twin son and daughter, and two cats. To learn more about Jessica’s projects, both current and past, please visit www.jessicaalpert.com.

One thought on “A Recipe For Disaster”

  1. El

    It’s funny you bring this up. We’ve been through this type of planning several times in our own house and have made sure we have plenty of supplies.

    We usually have warnings of hurricanes so if it were serious situation, like New Orleans, we’d evacuate. If it were something that would simply keep us holed up for a few days, it would be much easier.

    In a crisis I wouldn’t be too worried about menu planning. I’d be more concerned about rationing resources so that there’s enough food for the duration.

    First, we’d try to eat whatever is in the fridge or freezer before it goes bad. Then, we’d raid our garden and eat raw foods or maybe salads. Later we’d shift to dry foods like peanut butter sandwiches. We do a tremendous amount of canning in the summer so that would surely help.

    I think a more difficult situation would be a several month voluntary quarantine for H1N1. You may still have electricity but you’d be sick and need a lot of supplies ranging from food to personal hygiene products.

    I’m glad you brought this up. It’s extremely important to help families prepare for any type of hazard.